Welcome, Anna!
There’s Beauty in that there Beast
by Anna Campbell
Oh, I do love the Romance Dish! And the Romance Dish gals!
And now I’m not just a regular commenter (for those who don’t know, I do book
reviews on great romances you may have missed under the label Second Helping on
the 24th of each month), but a guest! Bring out the best china and
the lace tablecloth! Dust off the butler!
OK, enough of the mushy stuff.
Mwah… Mwah…
Oh, no, some mushy stuff got out of its cage. Excuse me for
a moment while I squeeze it back into its container! Phew! Done!
Beauty and the Beast stories never seem to lose their allure.
SEVEN NIGHTS is so obviously a BATB story that even the characters comment on
the fact! I think all my stories in their own way have been Beauty and the Beast
– I love coming back to its themes of redemption and transformation through
love, and the fact that true beauty comes from inside a person, not from what
they look like.
When Sidonie Forsyth meets Jonas Merrick in chapter one of
SEVEN NIGHTS, she’s convinced that he’s awful on the inside as well as the on outside.
He’s scarred and cranky and reclusive, and he’s got wicked intentions toward
her and her family. So all round, pretty darn beastly!
But when she makes a bargain to stay with him for seven days
(and seven nights), she embarks on a journey of discovery that leaves her a
significantly different person from the terrified girl who turns up on Jonas’s
doorstep in the middle of a thunderstorm. Over the course of a week, she
discovers a whole new world of sensual pleasure, and also learns that her
beastly lover isn’t nearly as beastly as she first thought. He’s a tormented
man with secrets and a more honorable heart than she ever imagined when they
first met. As Jonas falls in love with Sidonie, she helps him to heal and to
find purpose and heart, so that a man who never believed he had a chance at
redemption gradually turns into a genuine hero.
It’s only when these two face the world outside the walls of
Castle Craven that their union undergoes its most powerful tests. Will a
passion forged over seven nights turn into a lifelong love? Well, you’ll have
to read the book to find out, won’t you? Bwahahahahaha!
So let’s talk Beauty and the Beast. Is it a theme that
appeals to you? Do you have a favorite take on it? Why do you think writers and
readers keep coming back to this classic tale? I’ve got a signed copy of SEVEN
NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED for one commenter today. Good luck!
Congrats on the new release, Anna. I do love the Beauty and the Beast theme and one of my favorites is Judith Ivory's "Beast."
ReplyDeleteMy advice to everyone is, if you haven't read Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed, do so ASAP!
ReplyDeleteBeauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale. I too love Judith Ivory's Beast, Jane. I also love Robin McKinley's book by the same title. I adore When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James, especially a role reversal EJ uses. Other faves include Elizabeth Hoyt's To Beguile a Beast and two by Teresa Medeiros--The Bride and the Beast and Yours Until Dawn. I'm sure I've left out some of my keepers.
Jane, I ADORE Judith Ivory's Beast - she did a wonderful take on Sleeping Beauty too with a courtesan heroine that's a world beater. He's SUCH a charming hero and she makes him so attractive while he's convincingly ugly. Great stuff. Thanks for the congrats! It's great to have a new book out!
ReplyDeleteJanga, great to see you here. I knew you'd know a stack of great Beauty and the Beast stories. Actually pretty much all of mine have been BATB although it's definitely more overt in Seven Nights. Eloisa's Beauty book is a beauty!
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, I think the beauty and the beast is very appealing because women loves to tame the bad boys. The process to untame the bad boys in the beauty and the beast is so romantic and fascinating to the romantic girl in me;). Though realistically, it would be very hard to tame the bad boys;). My favourite take on this story would be the movie called beastly. I think that movie did a fair good remaking on the beauty and the beast and of course Eloisa James' when beauty tamed the beast
ReplyDeleteAretha, I haven't heard of Beastly. I'll have to check it out. I think it's pretty clear that I'm a BATB fan! I think you're right about the whole woman taming the beast thing being an important part of the appeal!
DeleteCongratulations on the release! I love when my hero is scarred. I've always been partial to them when they're like that. They just draw me from the heart. I can't wait to read how Sidonie tames Jonas. Thank you so much for the interview and the chance in the giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteMarmaduke in Bride of the Beast by Sue-Ellen Welfonder is my favorite scarred hero. I fell so in love with him from the get-go in Devil In A Kilt. Sighing here.... :)
DeleteLeah, I love Sue-Ellen's books. Nothing like a good Scottish medieval, is there? Well, a man in a kilt anyway! ;-) Thanks for saying you're looking forward to reading the book and good luck in the giveaway!
DeleteIt's definitely my fav: prose, fairytale, Disney cartoon! I think it's because I believe that love is definitely more than skin deep & looks while nice are not what we fall we love a person for.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I think that's one of the important messages of BATB, that love is deeper than the outer appearance of somebody. Thanks for swinging by!
DeleteCongratulations on the release of Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed--and what a fitting title for your seventh book! I can't wait to read it. You do torture your tortured heroes so well. :)
ReplyDeleteVanessa, lovely to see you here! Oh, I do love to torment a hero, nothing so much fun (for me if not for him!).
DeleteCongrats on the release...
ReplyDeleteBecause it's a challenge to tame the impossible...
Rosalina, thanks for the congrats. And I think you're right - the challenge is an important part of the appeal!
DeleteHi Anna and waving to PJ,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the launch of SEVEN NIGHT'S IN A ROGUE'S BED, I can't wait to read it!
I love a Beauty and the Beast story. I have an exquisitely illustrated copy of the fairy tale which I have managed to hang onto since I was a young girl. There's something so heartrending about the stories of redemption and trust. I even like the Disney cartoon movie version.
Books with the BABT theme? My favorite is your UNTOUCHED--though I have a feeling from the wonderful reviews of SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE'S BED that it might just have a challenger from your very own pen!
Thanks so much, Kandy. You're so right about Untouched being a BATB story - Beauty is hauled into a mysterious fortress to become the slave of the beast. Only to discover a love that will last forever. Always sigh at that particular story arc. Hey, I'll sigh now - SIGH! So glad you're looking forward to reading SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE'S BED. I've been really overwhelmed with the reviews! PJ's made me cry, it was so lovely!
DeleteAnna, I'm a fan of BATB stories and you write such gorgeous Beasts with marvellous heroes tucked inside just waiting for a heroine to discover! I'm looking forward to meeting Sidonie and Jonah!
ReplyDeleteSharon, thanks for saying you're looking forward to reading Sidonie and Jonas's story. I think somewhere in my stories, there's always a beast and there's always a beauty. Seems to be something essential to what I want to say!
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, Congrats on Seven Nights In A Rogue's Bed. It's already on my TRL. Beauty and The Beast has always been my favorite theme. I love to see the Hero or Heroine find the love they never thought they'd have and reading how the real beauty comes from within a person.Thanks so very much Anna for this giveaway opportunity. Wishing you many sales Anna.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Hi Carol! Lovely to see you! I think most romance readers are a sucker for Beauty and the Beast stories. As you say, it's got all that wonderful heart-wrenching emotion powering it and a wonderfully satisfying ending. Thanks for the congrats and good wishes!
DeleteBEAUTY AND THE BEAST is timeless. Discovering the true person.
ReplyDeleteYears ago I read a translation of the supposed original French tale. It was very dark reading, but beautiful too.
I desperately want a copy of SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE'S BED.
Hi Mary! Good luck in the draw! I remember as a kid getting the original out of the library - I remember really liking it but I don't remember it. I'm going to order a book of the original fairytales from the Book Depository to remind me.
DeleteGood Morning, Everyone! It's been busy in here while I've been getting my "beauty" sleep...which, to be honest, felt more like a "beastly" sleep. ;-) I'm off to work but I'll be back later to play.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to have you here, Anna!!!
PJ, thanks for having me here as a guest instead of my usual role as worker ant! I love doing my reviews but it's such fun talking about a book I wrote! Have fun at work and see you later. And thank you again for that BRILLIANT review!
DeleteI really like different takes on the fairy tales, Beauty and the Beast, Ugly Duckling are two of my favorites. I wonder if anyone has come up with a twist of the heroine being the beast?
ReplyDeleteHiya Dianna! Great to see you here. Ugly Duckling is another one with a lovely satisfying ending, isn't it? You know, the heroine as the beast has real potential! If I ever write one, I'll give you an acknowledgement!
DeleteAnna, welcome to the spotlight! We're so glad to have you dishing about your latest book. I can't wait to read it! One question: is Sidonie pronounced like Sydney? Just want to make sure before I read it. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the Beauty and the Beast theme, too! In fact, yesterday I finished a book with this theme--LORD OF SCOUNDRELS by Loretta Chase. Yes, I had never read it before and I *loved* it! It's no wonder people rave about it. :)
Andrea, I LOVE Lord of Scandal. It's such a classic - I reviewed it for Second Helping way back when I first started. Dain is such a wonderful Beast. Sigh. Thanks for the congrats. The funny thing about Sidonie is that I and people I know who know Sidonies say Sid-OH-nee. But the fellow on the audiobook says Sidney. I think it's probably up to you how you pronounce it. I think it's nice in either version!
DeleteBeauty and the Beast story lines are one of my two my favorites. Having someone be perceptive enough to see the wounded heart inside and care enough to heal it is very special. The wide variaty of character profiles for the Beast give a delightfully rich source for stories. I always look forward to seeing what you and other authors will do with it.
ReplyDeletePat, you're so right about BATB being such a rich source of themes. And of course, sometimes the beast is just a beast inside while he might be gorgeous outside. With Jonas, he's beastly in and out at the start which was great fun to write!
DeleteI love Beauty and the Beast stories. Elizabeth Hoyt has some good ones!
ReplyDeleteJohanna, Elizabeth H does some fantastic Beauty and the Beast stories. Pick up Lord of Scoundrels too if you get a chance - it's a humdinger.
DeleteHello, again :) I have always loved Beauty and the Beast themes. To me it really is the epitome of true love. Forgetting the superficial and knowing the beauty within. Knowing one's own heart and not caring what others think (sigh).
ReplyDeleteCatslady, how beautifully put. There's so much room for emotional development in Beauty and the Beast, no wonder romance writers are so drawn to its themes.
DeleteI love the Beauty and the Beast theme! I really like unique takes on the traditional story. I read a short story that was my favorite take where the Beast was a beast of his own making due to his scientific experiments and the beauty was a woman who as a child was born in the world as we know it in but when her parents were killed by fay beasts she was taken in by some fairies. She decides to leave the land of fay to find love and she does it by joining a traveling side show. She meets her beast on a very bad winter stormy night. It's steam punk inspired, paranormal romance and I absolutely LOVED it due to it's originality!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13483355-beauty-in-the-beast Link to the book I refer to called Beauty in the Beast by Christine Danse.
DeleteWow, Brittany, that sounds fantastic! I'm definitely going to get hold of that one! Thanks for the recommendation. I hadn't heard of it and it sounds like such an interesting take on the myth. I love Steam Punk - it opens up so many worlds of imagination, doesn't it? Thanks for swinging by and good luck in the draw!
DeleteI love to read Beauty and the Beast stories. They all have a different premise, but it always comes down to the Beast who might look and act awful, but he is redeemed by the Beauty's love.
ReplyDeleteCathy, it's that redemption that's at the heart of the story, isn't it? It always keeps us coming back for more.
DeleteIt really depends on the plot and the book. Sometimes the trope works and sometimes it doesn't.
ReplyDeleteKim, I think with most books it comes down to the story - good point.
DeleteAhhh, Anna. Does the theme appeal to me? Uh ... about as much as any other theme appeals to me; I love the diversity! Do I have a favorite take on it? Nope; all books are different, and, again, I like that diversity. Why do authors/readers keep coming back to this? Uh, I don't know; maybe it's engrained in our system since childhood. Why do *I* want to read it? Because you wrote it.
ReplyDeleteLaney, I adore you answers - especially the last one, LOL! Thank you. Actually I'm a sucker for pretty much all the fairytale themes although I like it when Sleeping Beauty manages to stay awake for most of the story. Although with SB, it's often a spiritual or emotional or sensual sleep that she's in and her encounter with the hero wakes her up to life's possibilities. Again, a really rich range of themes there.
DeleteBeauty and The Beast is my all-time favorite fairy tale...it's that combination of the bookish, open-minded and smart heroine with the arrogant, full of himself, alpha-male. I like any version of this timeless tale either in historical or contemporary setting, but my favorite so far is Lord Of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase...at least until I read Anna's new release, which has the potential to become my new favorite.
ReplyDeleteminadecaro@hotmail.com
Hey, thanks, Mina. Actually it's so interesting how different all these takes on BATB are, isn't it? Lord of Scoundrels is one of my favorites too and Seven Nights is a completely different kettle of beast. I love that the heroine is really brave and proactive in BATB. They both deserve their happy ending!
DeleteBeauty and the Beast stories are a favorite of mine. Judith Ivory's The Beast is probably my favorite but Eloisa James and Elizbeth Hoyt have stories that are also excellent.
ReplyDeleteMaureen, I've read Judith's Beast about ten times. I love it. It's got such a rich texture and I love the way the romance develops and they gradually reach honesty with each other. As you say, Eloisa J and Elizabeth H have great versions too!
DeleteBeauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales and I definitely enjoy stories that has this theme. I like the idea of a damaged or tormented hero being given a chance to find his HEA. One of my favorite is Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas.
ReplyDeleteNa, Love the Devil in Winter. I think that's one of the best titles out there too - wish I'd thought of it first! Yes, I admit it. I have title envy! ;-) I think we're all suckers for the tormented hero!
DeleteHi, Anna!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to see you here today on The Romance Dish. This is a fun blog. I'm really looking forward to reading "Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed." As with all of your novels, I know it will be great.
Hoping to get to your "neck of the woods" and share that promised pot of tea!
All the best and congratulations on your new release!
Connie, wouldn't it be fun if you really did make it soon? I promise to bake - not a promise I make for everyone! ;-) So come hungry! Thanks for saying you're looking forward to reading Seven Nights. I'm having such fun talking about a new book with everyone!
DeleteI love to bake too, so we can get together and have a bake off. However, I'm betting yours will be better. :-)
DeleteHi Anna, I love The Beauty and the Beast theme; I cannot wait to read your version in SEVEN NIGHT'S IN A ROGUE'S BED! In fact, I usually like all retelling of fairy tales in romantic fiction. I have been enjoying Eloisa James fairytale series, her book "When Beauty Tamed the Beast" is a great example of the genre.
ReplyDeleteFedora, I've loved all Eloisa's fairytale retellings. Love the Ugly Duchess too. Hope you enjoy Rogue!!!
DeleteFlora, I think you'll really like this one. It's so very good! :)
DeleteHey, thanks, PJ! Did you see I quoted your wonderful review in my latest website updates? http://www.annacampbell.info/latest.html
DeleteI know I will PJ and Anna! I just wish my copy would get here already!
DeleteHi Anna,
ReplyDeleteI adore Beauty and the beast ! I think it is because it shows that no matter what you see on the outside it is what is on the inside that counts the most. Thank you so very much for the international give away!
I adore Beauty and the beast ! I think it is because it shows that no matter what you see on the outside it is what is on the inside that counts the most.
DeleteIsn't it lovely to know that there is someone out there who will love us for who we are inside no matter what the packaging? I think that's why Beauty and the Beast sells so well is all it's many variations.
Thanks for stopping in today!
No problem, Desere. Living in Australia, I'd feel like a traitor to my nation if I didn't make my giveaways international! Thanks for swinging by and good luck!
DeleteHi Anna, YAY! I'm here! I adore beauty and the Beast theme! Can't wait to read this book! One version I adore his Elizabeth Hoyt's "To Beguile a Beast" I adore the idea of the tortured and scarred )inside and/or out) finding true love, and the heroine who is willing to look beyond those scars to see the passionate man hiding underneath! All the best for your release!
ReplyDeleteYAY! I'm here!
DeleteLOL! And we're so glad you are, Karyn!
I'm with you on Hoyt's To Beguile a Beast. I adore that book!
Thanks so much, Karyn! Elizabeth Hoyt is getting lots of well deserved love today. Fantastic! Hope you enjoy Rogue when you get to it. Thanks for the good wishes!
DeletePJ, it's a classic, isn't it?
DeleteBeauty and the Beast is a favorite fairy tale of mine. I do enjoy the fresh takes authors give us on this theme. I loved Elizabeth Hoyt's How to Beguile a Beast. I thought Eloisa James did a great job of the theme in her book When Beauty Tamed the Beast. I look forward to reading yours, Anna.
ReplyDeleteHiya LSUR! Thanks for swinging by. I'm so glad so many of you are real Beauty and the Beast fans like I am! I think I had particular fun with Rogue because it's SOOOO gothic. Really enjoyed doing a modern take on some of those old-time romance themes!
ReplyDeleteI do like the Beauty and Beast theme, I think in part because I really do like those stories that focus on how the inside of a person is at least as important as the outside :) I really liked Loretta Chase's Lord of Scoundrels--loved how Dain couldn't believe Jessica could find him attractive! That just made me all warm and fuzzy inside ;p
ReplyDeleteAnd YAY for Seven Nights, Anna!
Hey, Fedora, aren't you lovely, popping to so many blogs to say hello to me. A big fat mwah to you! Yeah, I loved the games LC played with POV in that. In the reader's and Jessica's eyes, he's this magnificent stallion of a man. In his own eyes, he's this hulking brute. I turned to mush when I read those bits too. Awwwww! Beautifully done!
DeleteOh I do love the beauty and the beast stories. I have been hearing a lot of good things about this book, so I would love to read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Quilt Lady. I've been really delighted with the reviews - it's always nice to have a book finding friends! Good luck!
DeleteI love Beauty and The Beast the best. :) It's my favorite!
ReplyDeleteMay, the Beast is the Best? How beauty-fully put.
DeleteBeauty and the Beast has been my favorite fairytale since I first read it as a child. Some favorites are Carroll's Bride Finder, Hoyt's To Beguile a Beast, Sutcliffe's Devotion and Woodiwiss's Rose in Winter. I think we (women, at least) like the thought that a man can be transformed by the perfect woman's love (especially if he really isn't so beastly after all!).
ReplyDeleteJ, I think you're right about women loving stories about the transformation of the beast into a prince. And I think most of the beasts have the prince inside them anyway, at least in romance books. Great selection - I didn't think of a Rose in Winter, but you're so right!
Deletelove beauty & beast stories -- it's the love conquers all/love is blind/love redeems themes behind the tale that always resonates & makes me feel good :)
ReplyDeleteGamistress, I think it's that feel-good factor that's the secret to the fairytale's popularity. It has such a satisfying ending. The characters have been through the fire and emerge purified into gold.
DeleteI think Beauty and the Beast stories appeal to me because they're about the theme of it's what's inside that counts. It doesn't matter what you look like, it matters what kind of a person you are.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I think that's the great truth of Beauty and the Beast. It almost doesn't matter that the beast turns into a prince at the end. We already know he's a hero inside.
DeleteThanks, everyone, for a great day's blogging. And thanks to the gorgeous Dish gals for hosting me. It was lovely to be able to share my new book with you all. Don't forget to check back to see who won the signed copy of SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE'S BED! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anna! Best of luck with SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE'S BED. It's a winner!
DeleteSo late to the party. LOL *waving madly and blowing kisses* I'm looking forward to reading this one, Anna. I know I will love it!
ReplyDeleteI adore the Beauty and the Beast trope. Eloisa's WHEN BEAUTY TAMED THE BEAST is a definite favorite, as is Elizabeth Hoyt's THE RAVEN PRINCE. Loved them both!
Hey, Gannon, absolutely wonderful to see you! Thanks for swinging by! So glad you said you're looking forward to Rogue. Great choice in BATB stories!
ReplyDeleteBeauty and the Beast is my favorite story. My favorite version thus far is Eloisa James When Beauty Tamed the Beast. I have herd great reviews of your book and can't wait to read it
ReplyDelete